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Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention provide a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture. In an embodiment of
the invention, the article of manufacture includes a penetrating
instrument including an elongated body with first and second distal end
such that at least one of the distal ends includes a penetrating edge. By
way of example, the penetrating instrument can be a syringe, an IV
catheter needle assembly, a pressurized tube holder configured with a
needle for blood draw, or a scalpel, to name a few possibilities. The
article of manufacture also includes a container coupled to the elongated
body of the penetrating instrument. The container provides at least one
chamber. Finally, the article of manufacture includes a nozzle connected
to the container and configured to dispense pressurized content of the
container responsive to activating a trigger communicating with the
nozzle.

Claims:

1. A topical anesthetic and antiseptic dose dispensing device,
comprising: a scalpel having an elongated body with first and second
distal ends, at least one of the distal ends comprising a penetrating
edge; a container externally coupled to the elongated body of the
scalpel, the container providing at least one chamber, wherein the at
least one chamber comprises a single chamber containing a pressurized
combination of an aesthetic and an antiseptic; and a nozzle connected to
the container and configured to dispense pressurized content of the at
least one chamber responsive to activating a trigger communicating with
the nozzle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the container provides two chambers,
each chamber containing different pressurized content.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the single chamber contains a
pressurized combination of ethyl chloride and one of alcohol and
povidone-iodine.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the nozzle comprises a bi-valve nozzle
with two openings, each of the two openings corresponding to a different
one of the two chambers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is coupled to the
elongated body of the scalpel by way of a trigger.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the single chamber contains a
pressurized combination of ethyl chloride and alcohol.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the single chamber contains a
pressurized combination of ethyl chloride and povidone-iodine.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/388,347, filed Feb. 18, 2009, the entirety of
which is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of anesthetic and
anesthetic dispensing devices and more particularly to aerosol and
pressurized type topical anesthetic and anesthetic single dose dispensing
devices.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Penetrating instruments like scalpels, knives, intravenous (IV)
needle assemblies and syringes form an integral part of medical care. One
cannot imagine health care without the use of a penetrating instrument
such as a needle for use in an injection, or a scalpel for use in a
surgical procedure. Indeed, even the most simplistic of diagnostic
techniques--the blood draw--requires the use of a needle (ordinarily
included as part of a pressurized tube holder configured for blood draw).
Even still, excessive pain and adverse reactions associated with the use
of a penetrating instrument can cause patient anxiety and unnecessary
distress. Consequently, health care providers constantly seek methods and
tools to alleviate the pain and reaction caused by the use of a
penetrating instrument.

[0006] In this regard, it is well known that spraying ethyl chloride on a
target zone of a patient for a penetrating instrument can greatly reduce
penetrating instrument related pain. Specifically, ethyl chloride is a
topical anesthetic. When topically applied to the skin, ethyl chloride
creates an instantaneous anesthetic effect on the surface of the site
caused by the immediate evaporation of the ethyl chloride. As a result,
the cooling effect created by spraying ethyl chloride on a target zone of
a patient interrupts the ability of the patient to experience pain
resulting from the use of the penetrating instrument on the target zone.

[0007] Yet, the anesthetic effect of ethyl chloride generally lasts only
upwards of a few seconds. Thus, unless the health care provider is quick
to apply the penetrating instrument immediately following the application
of ethyl chloride, the ethyl chloride may have to be reapplied. Thus,
typically a nurse will clean the target area with an antiseptic, position
all equipment and instruments ready for the planned procedure and then
apply the ethyl chloride immediately before performing the planned
procedure. Accordingly, the described protocol of sterilizing the target
zone, preparing the equipment and instruments and applying ethyl chloride
can increase the overall time a nurse must spend with each patient.
Further, generally an additional person is required in order to complete
the anesthetic and antiseptic protocol described herein.

[0008] Of note, by having a second nurse present to apply the ethyl
chloride in concert with a first nurse performing the expected procedure
with the use of a penetrating instrument, the overall time spent on a
patient can decrease, thus increasing the capacity to perform more
procedures on more patients. However, an additional nurse can be costly.
Further, coordinating the placement of the ethyl chloride with the
anticipated placement of a needle between two nurses can be problematic
in that one nurse may not completely recognize the intention of the other
nurse in respect to the placement of the penetrating instrument. Even
still, having only a single nurse sterilize the target zone, apply the
ethyl chloride to the target zone and then perform the planned procedure
can result in the unnecessary waste of time when multiple applications of
ethyl chloride is required.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a topical anesthetic
and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture. In an embodiment
of the invention, the article of manufacture includes a penetrating
instrument including an elongated body with first and second distal end
such that at least one of the distal ends includes a penetrating edge. By
way of example, the penetrating instrument can be a syringe, an IV
catheter needle assembly, a pressurized tube holder configured with a
needle for blood draw, or a scalpel, to name a few possibilities. The
article of manufacture also includes a container coupled to the elongated
body of the penetrating instrument. The container provides at least one
chamber. Finally, the article of manufacture includes a nozzle connected
to the container and configured to dispense pressurized content of the
container responsive to activating a trigger communicating with the
nozzle.

[0010] In one aspect of the embodiment of the invention, the chamber
contains a pressurized combination of ethyl chloride and alcohol. In
another aspect of the embodiment, the chamber contains a pressurized
combination of ethyl chloride and povidone-iodine (e.g. BETADINE). In yet
another aspect of the embodiment, the container includes two chambers,
each chamber containing different pressurized content. In respect to the
latter aspect of the embodiment, one chamber contains pressurized ethyl
chloride and another chamber contains alcohol. Alternatively, one chamber
contains pressurized ethyl chloride and another chamber contains
povidone-iodine. Further in respect to the latter aspect of the
embodiment, the nozzle can be a bi-valve nozzle with two openings, each
of the two openings corresponding to a different one of the two chambers.

[0011] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in
the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects
of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements
and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is
to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are
not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it
being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture coupled to a syringe.

[0014]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture coupled to a scalpel.

[0015]FIG. 1c is a perspective view of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture coupled to a
pressurized tube holder configured for blood draw.

[0016] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture coupled to an IV
catheter.

[0017] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture as a stand-alone
hand-held unit.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a component part perspective view of a topical anesthetic
and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a side view sequence illustration of a topical anesthetic
and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture in use.

[0020] FIG. 4A is a top view of a dual chamber of a topical anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device.

[0021]FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the interior construction of a
dual chamber of a topical anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing device of
FIG. 4A.

[0022] FIG. 5A is a top view of a single chamber of a topical anesthetic
and antiseptic dispensing device.

[0023]FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the interior construction of
the single chamber of a topical anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing
device of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention provide a topical anesthetic
and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture. The dispensing
device article of manufacture includes a container with one or more
chambers. At least one of the chambers can contain a pressurized chemical
providing at least an anesthetic effect when released onto a target zone
of a patient, and optionally an antiseptic effect when released onto the
target zone. For example, the chemicals can include ethyl chloride or a
combination of ethyl chloride and alcohol, or ethyl chloride and
povidone-iodine. Optionally, the container can be a modular container
accepting one or more canisters of pressurized chemicals such that each
canister accounts for a chamber of pressurized chemicals and at least one
of the canisters can include a pressurized form of ethyl chloride.

[0025] Of note, the container can be adapted for coupling to a penetrating
instrument, such as a syringe, scalpel, knife, pressurized tube holder
configured for blood draw or an IV catheter needle assembly. In this way,
an anesthetic (and optionally an antiseptic) can be released onto the
target zone of a patient within close temporal proximity of the use of
the coupled penetrating instrument without requiring multiple health care
providers to both apply the anesthetic and to use the penetrating
instrument.

[0026] In further illustration, FIGS. 1A through 1D are perspective views
of a topical anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing device article of
manufacture. As shown in each of FIGS. 1A through 1D, a container 110 can
be attached to a penetrating instrument 120, 150, 160, 170 having an
elongated body and distal ends opposite to one another with respect to
the elongated body. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1A, the penetrating
instrument can be a syringe 120 having a pump 140 at one end and a needle
130 at the opposite end. Alternatively, the container 110 can be
configured to adapt to a scalpel 150 as shown in FIG. 1B. Another
configuration shown in FIG. 1c depicts the container 110 coupled to a
pressurized tube holder configured for blood draw 160. The pressurized
tube holder configured for blood draw 160 can include a housing 160C with
a needle 160B disposed at one end and a pressurized tube 160A at an
opposite end partially disposed in the housing 160C for attachment to an
opening in the needle so as to facilitate the collection of blood. Yet,
another configuration as shown in FIG. 1D can include the container 110
adapted for coupling to an IV catheter needle assembly 190 including a
body 190C, a catheter port 190B at one end of the body 190C and a needle
190A at an opposite end of the body 190C.

[0027] In all four exemplary aspects of the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1A through 1D, the container 110 can include a rotatable joint
disposed between the modular canister 110 and the penetrating instrument
120, 150, 160, 170 such that the depression of the container 110 towards
the penetrating instrument acts to create an opening between the
atmosphere and the pressurized content contained by the container 110
allowing for the pressurized content to be released into the atmosphere
and directed onto a target zone of a patient as directed by a nozzle (not
shown). Notwithstanding, as shown in FIG. 1E, the container 110 can be a
stand-alone hand-held unit having a trigger handle 170 in order to allow
the contents of the modular canister 110 to be released out of the
modular canister 110 onto a target zone when the trigger handle 170 is
rotated toward the container 110.

[0028] In more particular illustration of an embodiment of the dispensing
device article of manufacture, FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a
anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture. As
shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing device article of manufacture can include
a container 210 providing at least one chamber containing a pressurized
anesthetic. In particular, two separate chambers can be provided, each
containing a different chemical, at least one of the chambers containing
pressurized ethyl chloride. To facilitate the dispensing of the content
of both chambers, a bi-valve nozzle 220 can be attached to the chamber
210 to allow dispensing of the two different chemicals simultaneously.
Furthermore, a locking ring 230 with a rubber stop 240 can secure over
the bi-valve nozzle 220.

[0029] Of note, a trigger 250 can be coupled to the chamber 210 to allow
for a pressurized aerosol type triggering mechanism that can evenly
dispense the contents of the modular canister 110. Specifically, the
trigger 250 can be biased to hold the rubber stop 240 against the
bi-valve nozzle 220. When activated, for example rotated, the trigger 250
can permit the rubber stop 240 to release the rubber stop 240 from biased
contact against the bi-valve nozzle 220. In consequence, the content of
each chamber of the container 210 can be released through the bi-valve
nozzle 220 onto a target zone of a patient.

[0030] Importantly, the container 210 can be configured for coupling to a
penetrating instrument, for example by way of glue or weld or fastener.
In illustration, as shown in FIG. 3, the container 310 can be coupled to
a penetrating instrument 320 such as a syringe by way of the trigger 350.
In this regard, moving the container 310 along a rotating trajectory 330
toward the penetrating instrument 320 can act to dispense the content 340
of the container 310 through nozzle 360. Notably, since the container 310
can include more than one internal chamber, more than one chemical can be
sprayed through the nozzle 360 onto a target zone of a patient
simultaneously.

[0031] Finally, FIG. 4B provides a cross-sectional view of the interior of
an anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture
taken along the A-A line of FIG. 4A. The anesthetic and antiseptic
dispensing device article of manufacture can include a container 410. The
container 410 can include a first chamber 420 and a second chamber 430
separate from the first chamber 420. Preferably, one of the chambers 420,
430 can contain a pressurized form of a topical anesthetic such as ethyl
chloride and the other of the chambers 420 or 430 can contain an
antiseptic or other chemical, for instance an analgesic. For example, the
container 410 can contain alcohol in one of the chambers 420 or 430 and
ethyl chloride in the other of the chambers 420 or 430 for dual topical
anesthetic and antiseptic use before introducing a penetrating instrument
to the target zone of the patient. It will be recognized by one of skill
in the art that the chambers 420, 430 can contain equivalent volumes or
can contain different volumes. In another embodiment, FIG. 5B provides a
cross-sectional view of the interior container of an anesthetic and
antiseptic dispensing device article of manufacture taken along the A-A
line of FIG. 5A. The anesthetic and antiseptic dispensing device article
of manufacture can include a container 510, which has a single chamber
515 that contains a combination of ethyl chloride and alcohol, or ethyl
chloride and povidone-iodine.